Multi-port communications device and associated methods

Details Multi-port communications device and associated methods Multi-port communications device and associated methods

1998-08-20

2001-10-23

Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Intrasystem connection

Bus access regulation

C710S120000, C361S788000, C361S759000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06308235

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of communications electronics, and, more particularly, to a communications device and related methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Digital communications over twisted copper wire pairs, or optical fiber pairs, are widely used for Local Area Networks (LANs), for example. The LAN typically connects multiple computer users to a server or other computer. A LAN transceiver, that is, a combination transmitter and receiver, is typically used to transmit data and receive data over the twisted pair or fiber pair.
A typical LAN
15
as in the prior art is shown in FIG.
1
. The LAN
15
includes a pair of servers
16
connected to a plurality of user workstations
21
. A hub
17
is connected on one side to the servers
16
, and on the other side to the workstations
21
. The hub
17
includes signal transceivers and associated circuitry for processing the signals between the servers
16
and workstations
21
.
A simplified prior art hub
17
with the overall housing removed for clarity is shown in FIG.
2
. More particularly, the illustrated hub
17
includes a modular jack connector
22
, which, in turn, may provide twelve ports
22
a
for connection to up to twelve workstations
21
. A series of electrical conductors, not shown, are carried within each recess of the modular jack connector
22
and engage mating conductors on the corresponding jack or plug. One common port arrangement provides compatibility with a so-called “RJ-45” jack. Optical ports, such as including an optical detector and optical emitter, are also commonly used to establish inbound and outbound signal paths.
The modular jack connector
22
is mounted onto a mother circuit board
24
. The mother circuit board
24
also illustratively mounts three communications processors
26
, such as may be provided by available integrated circuit packages. In addition, the mother board
24
illustratively mounts associated magnetic devices
27
for coupling to twisted wire pairs, for example. The magnetic devices
27
are typically small transformers.
The communications processor IC's
26
may be integrated quad-port repeaters such as the Model LXT915 available from Level One of Sacramento, Calif. Each of the communications processors
26
includes four transceivers for connection to four respective ports
22
a.
The mother circuit board
24
would also typically mount a number of other components, not shown, such as for supplying power, providing various status indications, etc. An overall housing, not shown, would also typically be provided to protect the mother board
24
and other components. The hub
17
is typically a relatively bulky and expensive piece of equipment.
Board-mounted shielding would typically be needed to shield the communications processors
26
from the magnetic devices
27
. The magnetic devices
27
typically generate electromagnetic interference (EMI), and the communications processors
26
are typically susceptible to EMI. The housing may be made of an electrical conductor, to provide an overall EMI shield.
Another disadvantage of prior art LANs including one or more conventional hubs
17
, is that the hubs are separate pieces of equipment from the servers
16
. The hubs
17
need to be purchased, installed and maintained. In other words, the hubs
17
add cost and complexity, and may reduce the overall reliability of the LAN
15
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communications device and associated method wherein the functions of a conventional hub can be provided in a more compact and convenient device, such as to be integrated in another device, to thereby reduce cost and increase reliability.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a communications device and associated method which is also resistant to EMI and which can be readily compatible with existing RJ-45 jacks and plugs.
These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a communications device comprising, in one embodiment, a multi-port jack housing having a front and a back, and including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs therein. Signal connector means are preferably positioned within each of the recesses and define a respective plurality of communications ports. Of course, each communications port establishes inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug. A circuit board is positioned within the multi-port jack housing and preferably extends adjacent the back thereof. In addition, the communications device preferably includes at least one communications processor mounted on the circuit board and connected to the plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals. The at least one communications processor preferably communicates with two or more of the communications ports. Accordingly, an extremely compact multi-port device is provided.
In some embodiments, the at least one communications processor comprises a plurality of communications processors. In these embodiments, a communications bus is provided on the circuit board interconnecting the plurality of communications processors. The communications processors include means for communicating with each other over this bus.
Two or more of the plurality of recesses may be positioned in side-by-side relation. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the recesses are arranged in two tiers, with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation. In addition, a respective communication processor may be provided for each group of four communications ports. Each communications processor preferably includes an integrated circuit. Each communications processor also preferably includes a plurality of transceivers for a corresponding group of communications ports.
Another important aspect of the invention relates to shielding. More particularly, the circuit board preferably comprises an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield. In embodiments wherein a plurality of communications processors are used, these are all preferably positioned on a first side of the circuit board. Moreover, EMI generating devices, such as circuit magnetics, are preferably positioned on the second side of the circuit board. Accordingly, a compact arrangement is facilitated without compromising performance caused by EMI.
Also relating to EMI, the communications device may preferably include an electrically conductive layer on outer surface portions of the multi-port jack housing defining an external EMI shield. This external EMI shield may be connected to the internal EMI shield.
There is a large installed base of existing communications ports and equipment compatible with the RJ-45 jack. Accordingly, in the communications device according to the invention each of the communications ports is preferably compatible with the RJ-45 jack.
The signal connector means may comprise a plurality of electrical contacts, such as for twisted pair links. Alternately, the signal connector means may be optical and comprise an optical detector for inbound optical signals, and an optical emitter for outbound optical signals. Mixes of both formats may be provided in the communications device.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a communications device comprising a multi-port jack housing having a front and a back, and including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs therein. The method preferably comprises the steps of: positioning signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; mounting at least one communications proces

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